Moves on the Board: Week of September 15 - 19, 2025
Denotes a Bellevue Strategies client.
♟️CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Parker Administration
Over the weekend on September 13, Mayor Parker joined Council President Johnson, city officials, and Tasco alumni – including Bellevue’s own Derek Green – to unveil a historical marker honoring former Councilmember Marian Tasco and her impact on the City of Philadelphia.
Mayor Parker gave several high-profile speeches this week. On Monday, the Mayor addressed attendees at the Behavioral Health Initiative Regional Summit, speaking on a panel about the importance of implementing mental and behavioral health systems in the city. The Philadelphia International Airport & Philadelphia Northeast Airport held their second annual State of the Airport event on Wednesday. Airport CEO Atif Saeed highlighted the airport’s infrastructure investments, preparations ahead of major events in 2026, and unveiled the airport’s official rebrand. The Mayor gave remarks along with Council President Kenyatta Johnson, whose Second Councilmanic District represents the airport, and other state and local officials. The Mayor then gave a “State of the City” address to members of the Union League on Thursday afternoon. The Mayor is expected to deliver her second “State of the City” to the general public in December.
The Philadelphia Airport’s fresh new logo!
After many years of construction, Mayor Parker joined the Streets Department on Friday afternoon to celebrate the Martin Luther King Bridge rehabilitation project. The completion of this $20 million project will officially reopen it to the public this weekend.
The Department of Revenue warned the public of a phishing text scam in which scammers are impersonating the department and requesting people click on links to provide their bank information. Stay alert and don’t take the bait!
The Parker administration announced the appointment of Eleni Belisonzi as the new Director for the Neighborhood Wellness Court (NWC) Initiative. Belisonzi is joining the administration after many years of experience in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and will coordinate with key stakeholders to expand the Initiative, a core piece of Mayor Parker’s agenda to address the opioid epidemic in Kensington.
Philadelphia City Council
On September 16, 2025, the Special Committee on Kensington heard testimony highlighting the neighborhood’s challenges with substance use, homelessness, and public safety. Children living in Kensington shared the daily impact of these conditions and constructive solutions to improve their quality of life, including cleanups and safe play spaces. The School District of Philadelphia committed to reassessing its Behavioral Health services for children, and CBH/DBHIDS pledged deeper collaboration with City Council’s support. Providers who provided testimony at the hearing stressed the need for more funding and coordination to address the root causes of childhood trauma and maximize impact.
City Council returned to legislative action on Thursday. Members introduced new legislation ranging from bag fees to combating toxic fumes from garbage incineration. The final passage calendar included several ceremonial resolutions and authorizing Land Bank dispositions. One piece of legislation that Bellevue is tracking for final passage next week is Bill 250373, Councilmember Rue Landau’s Fair Chance Criminal Records Screening Standards. Councilmember Landau and her staff heard feedback from stakeholders over several months and introduced an amendment to the ordinance during the legislative session yesterday. The bill is on final passage for next week’s calendar.
The highlights for new legislation are listed below:
Resolutions
Resolution 250789 (Councilmember Kendra Brooks) - Authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings on federal attacks and local challenges to reproductive healthcare.
Resolution 250781 (Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr.) - Authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings to examine the potential establishment of the Office of Freedman Affairs.
Resolution 250776 (Council President Kenyatta Johnson) - Condemning President Donald Trump’s recent efforts to rewrite American history by removing slavery-related content from national parks, including an exhibit at Independence National Historical Park: The President's House.
Resolution 250778 (Councilmember Isaiah Thomas) - Honoring Jane Golden for her life’s work and dedication to the City of Philadelphia.
Other resolutions introduced included condemning the Trump Administration for its deployment of the National Guard, authorizing land dispositions to the Philadelphia Land Bank, renaming streets, and ceremonial resolutions.
Ordinances
Bill 250762 (Council President Johnson on behalf of the Administration) - Adjusting compensation of the Zoning Board of Adjustment from an annual maximum salary of $22,000 to $27,000.
This legislation was referred to the Committee on Rules.
Bill 250768 (Councilmember Jamie Gauthier) - “Stop Trashing Our Air Act” which would prevent city and city-related agencies from contracting with companies that burn the city’s solid waste and recyclables.
This legislation was referred to the Committee on Streets & Services.
Bill 250770 (Councilmember Mike Driscoll) - Authorizing the use of automated speed cameras on state roads in the Sixth Councilmanic District to improve safety.
This legislation was referred to the Committee on Streets & Services.
Bill 250773 (Councilmember Mark Squilla) - Modifying the city’s prohibition on plastic bags to expand definitions and require that businesses charge a 15-cent fee per bag.
This legislation was referred to the Committee on Licenses & Inspections.
Bill 250774 (Councilmember Nina Ahmad) - This legislation would require landlords to provide a voter registration link to tenants with a certificate of rental suitability.
This legislation was referred to the Committee on Licenses & Inspections.
Other ordinances included authorizations for sidewalk cafes and zoning maps.
Next Week’s Moves
Coming Up: All committee meetings on next week’s calendar were rescheduled to observe Rosh Hashanah. City Council will return to legislative session next Thursday, September 25.
♟️COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shapiro Administration
This week, Governor Shapiro celebrated the opening of a major new cultural institution while highlighting his administration's achievements across multiple policy areas. The Governor joined city leaders and art executives for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Calder Gardens in Philadelphia, marking the opening of the new Parkway institution dedicated to American sculptor Alexander Calder, a Philadelphia native.
Turning to public safety initiatives, Governor Shapiro met with local and state law enforcement officials in Chester County to showcase his administration's efforts in this critical area. The group highlighted the state's $2.6 million investment in the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which has helped contribute to a decline in gun-related homicides statewide. The Governor ordered all flags to be flown at half-mast in honor of three police officers who died in the line of duty after a man in York County opened fire on five officers. Two police officers are in critical condition.
In another significant development, Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich unveiled the PACareKit, a new resource providing guides and support to unpaid caregivers of older adults throughout the Commonwealth. This initiative represents a key component of Aging Our Way, PA—the administration's comprehensive 10-year plan to strengthen the state's aging services infrastructure.
The Governor also served as keynote speaker at the 2025 Eradicate Hate Global Summit in Pittsburgh, where he addressed recent acts of political violence, including the arson attack at the Governor's Residence earlier this year. He called on leaders to condemn such violence and protect fundamental democratic rights.
Meanwhile, new economic data underscores the success of the administration's tourism initiatives. According to the 2024 Economic Impact of Travel and Tourism report released this week by DCED's Office of Tourism, Pennsylvania's tourism industry has grown by approximately $7 billion under Governor Shapiro's leadership since 2023. The Great American Getaway, a signature Shapiro administration initiative, has helped the tourism sector support over 514,000 jobs, generate $5 billion in state and local taxes, and welcome more than 201 million visitors in 2024.
📰 Updates from the Governor’s Newsroom
Governor Shapiro’s Address on Political Violence in America as Prepared for Delivery
Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs Announces 2025-27 Commissioners
♟️PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly had a relatively light schedule this week. Without a legislative session, both the House and the Senate conducted business in their district. House Democrats held several Policy Committee meetings across the Commonwealth. They met to discuss solutions for housing affordability, treatment-resistant depression, and maternal health outcomes.
Next Week’s Moves
Coming Up: The House is scheduled to meet for a non-voting session next week. Politicos are preparing for the House to return for a voting session on September 29 with hopes that a budget deal might come to fruition.
♟️On The Trail: Pennsylvania’s 2026 Elections
State Races
The Pennsylvania Republican Party will convene this weekend in State College to discuss endorsements for the 2026 Gubernatorial Election and other party business. The Party is expected to endorse State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who announced her bid to challenge Governor Josh Shapiro last month.